Final answer:
The cessation of peristalsis would result in the inability to move food through the digestive system, leading to constipation, nutrient deficiency, and potential severe blockages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Consequences of Peristalsis Stopping
If peristalsis were to stop, one of the primary problems animals would face is the inability to move food through the digestive system. This process involves muscle contractions that push food along the GI tract in a wave-like motion, essential for the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients. Without peristalsis, food would remain static within the digestive tract, leading to complications such as constipation, nutrient deficiency, and potentially severe digestive blockages that could result in life-threatening consequences. Additionally, because peristalsis is an involuntary process regulated by the enteric nervous system, its cessation could indicate underlying issues with the nervous system's control over GI tract functions.
While other areas like the respiratory system or circulatory system also rely on muscle movements, peristalsis specifically refers to the digestive system. Issues like difficulty in breathing or hindrance in blood circulation are related to different muscular activities, and not directly to the process of peristalsis.
Therefore, the correct answer to what problem animals would face if peristalsis stopped is a. Inability to move food through the digestive system.